Top 10 Stadiums in Algeria
Algeria has one of North Africa's most intense football cultures, with deeply rooted club rivalries — particularly USM Alger versus MC Alger — and a Ligue 1 that has produced multiple CAF Champions League finalists. The country's stadium infrastructure ranges from the colossal Nelson Mandela Stadium in Oran (opened in 2023) to the older July 5 Stadium in Algiers and a network of regional grounds in the high-football cities. Every stadium below is on the map.
1. Nelson Mandela Stadium, Oran
Capacity: 40,224. Algeria's newest national stadium, completed in 2023 for the Mediterranean Games in Oran. The state-of-the-art bowl with retractable seating and a covered roof is one of the most modern in North Africa. It hosted the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches and the Mediterranean Games football tournament, and is the preferred home of the Algeria national team since opening.
2. July 5, 1962 Stadium, Algiers
Capacity: 64,200. Algeria's largest stadium and the country's historic national venue, located in the Birkhadem district of Algiers and named for the country's independence date. Built for the 1975 Mediterranean Games, the ground hosts USM Alger and MC Alger, plus Algeria national team fixtures when Oran is unavailable.
3. Stade Mustapha-Tchaker, Blida
Capacity: 25,500. Named after the independence-era footballer Mustapha Tchaker, this Blida ground has been the Algeria national team's preferred fortress in World Cup qualifying for over a decade. The atmosphere generated by Algerian crowds at Tchaker is widely cited as one of the most intimidating in African international football.
4. Bologhine Stadium (Stade Omar-Hamadi), Algiers
Capacity: 15,000. USM Alger's traditional home in the Bologhine district of Algiers. The compact ground produces a strong matchday atmosphere despite its modest capacity. USM Alger is one of Algerian football's most decorated clubs and a regular CAF Champions League participant.
5. Stade du 8 Mai 1945, Sétif
Capacity: 25,000. Named for an Algerian historical date, this Sétif ground is the home of ES Sétif — one of African club football's most successful sides, with two CAF Champions League titles. The stadium has hosted continental club fixtures throughout its history.
6. Stade du 19 Mai 1956, Annaba
Capacity: 56,000. Annaba's principal stadium in eastern Algeria. The grand-scale ground has been used for international matches and major club competitions.
7. Stade du 1er Novembre 1954, Tizi Ouzou
Capacity: 32,000. Named for the start of the Algerian War of Independence, the Tizi Ouzou stadium is the home of JS Kabylie — one of the most popular clubs in Algeria, with a deep supporter base in Kabylia. JS Kabylie has won multiple CAF Champions League titles historically.
8. Stade Mohamed-Boumezrag, Chlef
Capacity: 25,000. ASO Chlef's home in western Algeria. ASO won the Algerian league title in 2010-2011 and the ground has hosted CAF club competition fixtures.
9. Stade 24 Février 1956, Sidi Bel Abbès
Capacity: 17,000. USM Bel Abbès's home in western Algeria. The ground hosts Algerian Ligue 1 matches and provides one of the western coastal football venues.
10. Stade Hocine Ait Ahmed, Tizi Ouzou (new)
Capacity: 50,000. New stadium opened to provide a modern alternative to the 1 November ground. The recent build is part of Algeria's ongoing stadium modernisation programme.
Algerian Ligue 1
Algerian Ligue 1 has 16 clubs and runs an autumn-spring calendar. The most decorated clubs are JS Kabylie (Kabylie region), USM Alger, MC Alger, ES Sétif, and CR Belouizdad. Algerian clubs are perennial CAF Champions League contenders, with ES Sétif winning the trophy in 1988 and 2014, and JS Kabylie winning in 1990 and 1981. The league produces strong African footballers, many of whom have moved to French and other European leagues.
The Algeria national team
Algeria are one of Africa's most successful footballing nations. The Fennecs won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1990 and 2019, the 2019 success completed without a single defeat under coach Djamel Belmadi. Algeria's stars have populated European leagues — Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, Al-Ahli), Islam Slimani, Sofiane Feghouli. The Stade Mustapha-Tchaker in Blida has been the team's home fortress for crucial qualifying campaigns, and the new Nelson Mandela Stadium in Oran is the modern alternative. All stadiums are marked on the map.